Two local school systems have achieved the Best Communities for Music Education designation.
The Boyd County and Russell Independent school systems won the honor from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for an “outstanding commitment to music education.”
It was the first time Boyd County had applied for the award.
Boyd County Band Director John Johnson said the process is mostly about funding.
“They look at things like staffing, whether teachers are certified to teach music,” Johnson. “It’s a lot less about awards or honors and more about the community — are there outside venues for students to participate in. We applied because we have an outstanding community that’s been ultra, ultra supportive.”
He said it’s also important to have administrators, like the Boyd system has, who listen to the needs of the music program and work with the band and the choir.
“If the community, parents and students are willing to get on board, after that, it all kind of falls into place,” he said of the program’s success. “I’ve always been blessed with school administration willing to listen to what I have to say, and if I have an idea that sounds absolutely crazy, they go along with me.”
